Plastics, furniture and automotive top the week’s expansion news, with investment and job creation announcements from Dow Chemical, Ashley Home Furniture and JTEKT.
In Texas, Dow Chemical will create 150 new jobs and invest $1.7 billion with the location of a hydrocarbon cracker in Freeport in Brazoria County. The facility will processes natural gas and natural gas liquids to create ethylene, to produce plastic resins and other chemical intermediates used to manufacture a variety of materials including transportation, building and construction, infrastructure, wire and cable, medical devices, personal care and food packaging.
South Carolina’s booming automotive industry is seeing more investment. JTEKT Automotive South Carolina Inc., a manufacturer of automotive components, plans to expand its operations in Greenville County. The $102 million investment is expected to generate at least 80 new jobs over the next two years.
In North Carolina, Ashley Furniture, will locate a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Davie County. The home furnishings manufacturer expects to create 550 new jobs over the next five years and invest $80 million in land, buildings, machinery and equipment.
In Indiana, Steel Dynamics Inc. will invest $76 million to expand and upgrade its Pittsboro mill operation, creating approximately 50 new jobs. The company is, the nation’s fifth-largest producer of carbon steel products.
Another shot of good news for Kentucky’s bourbon business: Heaven Hill Distilleries will create 14 full-time jobs and invest $9.5 million in Louisville’s historic district, opening a multi-million dollar artisanal distillery, tourism and retail attraction called The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience along what historically is known as “Whiskey Row” on West Main Street. More on that announcement here.
